At 12:50, the warm late-winter sunshine of January bathed Tokyo Racecourse, illuminating the horse girls filing into the starting gates.
Across from the track, a young announcer's voice rang out above the nearly one hundred thousand spectators.
"Now entering is the third most popular runner in this race, Kitasan Black.
"She's a new student at Central Treisen Academy, and she's already competing in her Debut Race. Kitasan Black's spirited start has been an inspiration to many.
"Her trainer is also a newcomer, so this race will be the debut for both her and her trainer.
"What kind of performance will these two newcomers bring us? Let's wait and see."
Then another voice, somewhat older, came over the broadcast.
"Judging by her training, Kitasan Black has impressive strength and stamina.
"Compared with the most popular runner, Mickey Joy, and the second most popular runner, Eden, those are her most obvious advantages.
"I hope she makes the most of them in the upcoming race and gives us a thrilling performance."
Horse girl races were usually commentated on by two people.
One handled the live play-by-play and worked up the crowd, while the other served as a guest commentator, offering brief analysis.
After the commentary, the already lively grandstand reached a small crescendo. Discussions and questions about who would take the win could be heard all around.
At the very front of the stands, beside Trainer Anjing Zhen, two horse girls who looked rather alike were talking in hushed voices.
"Big sister, do you think Little Kita can... win her Debut Race?"
After Satono Diamond asked worriedly, Satono Crown beside her hesitated.
"Something like that... Even if it's you asking, Hikari-chan, I can't predict how it'll turn out."
The sisters were both here to cheer on a friend, though Satono Crown's friend had competed in an earlier race.
After that race ended, the two had gone to the Preparation Room to encourage Kitasan Black. Then, naturally, they had followed Anjing Zhen to the grandstand.
After a moment's hesitation, Satono Crown continued thoughtfully:
"But in my experience, Mickey Joy does seem to have a bigger advantage as the most popular runner.
"She signed with her trainer last year, so she's had two or three months to prepare for her Debut Race.
"I've seen her train at the Academy, too. She's been consistent in every area.
"If nothing else affects the race, her chances of winning... should be the highest, just like her popularity."
After finishing her assessment, she looked at her worried younger sister and tried to reassure her:
"But you don't need to worry about Little Kita's performance.
"I think her trainer has probably considered things more thoroughly than I have.
"Isn't that right, Trainer Yasui?"
She looked over at Anjing Zhen.
Trainer Yasui was holding up a pair of binoculars, naturally focused on his own horse girl, Kitasan Black.
Her breathing was even, her complexion healthy, and her warm-up had been just right. She'd had no trouble entering the gate, either.
After rapidly assessing the situation, he turned to Satono Crown.
"Thank you for your confidence, Crown.
"That's right. I've made arrangements for Little Kita based on the circumstances of this particular race.
"But as for the specifics..."
He was about to say that there probably wasn't time to explain when the announcer's voice rose over the speakers.
"All the horse girls have entered the starting gates."
Without a thought for whether it was polite, Anjing Zhen immediately raised his binoculars again.
Satono Crown focused her gaze, and she and her still-worried sister looked toward the gates.
The announcer continued:
"Now then, at Tokyo Racecourse, on the turf over 1,800 meters, the Debut Race...
"Start!"
At the announcer's loud declaration, all sixteen gates on the track sprang open with a bang.
Sixteen figures shot out like arrows from their bows, all making for the Inner Lane.
The crowd erupted at the sight of the fierce competition right from the start, tens of thousands of spectators cheering in unison.
Watching Kitasan Black through his binoculars, Anjing Zhen nodded to himself.
No matter the race, the Inner Lane meant a shorter distance to the finish. Claiming it early in the opening stretch was unquestionably a major advantage.
Back when he had been learning from his father, he'd visited local racecourses.
Honestly, the level there was nowhere near the central circuit.
Take the awareness of position in the opening stretch, for instance. Many local horse girls had none at all.
Even after training, the results weren't great. They'd only think about their position long after the gates opened, when it was already too late.
But in this race, every competitor was a newcomer, with no prior experience in competition.
Yet every one of them had chosen to fight for position from the opening stretch. That kind of quality was something the local circuit simply couldn't match.
Kitasan Black had made an excellent start, too, perfectly carrying out his pre-race instructions.
The black-haired girl seemed to be fighting for the Inner Lane, but in truth, the moment she left the gate, she had her eye on the runner in the neighboring No. 6 gate and stayed close behind her.
The announcer accurately reported the situation.
"A very clean start, with no mistakes.
"In the opening scramble, the most popular runner, Mickey Joy, is temporarily in the lead...
"Wait, Cosmic Haven has overtaken her! Cosmic Haven is now in the lead.
"Mickey Joy is in second place, followed by Eden, the second most popular runner.
"The two highly favored runners are living up to expectations, showing excellent awareness of position from the very start.
"Kitasan Black, ranked third in popularity, hasn't chosen to run with the leading group.
"She's following close behind I-H Turbo. Is she trying to mark her opponent?"
The guest commentator chimed in:
"Marking an opponent is usually too complicated a strategy for a Debut Race.
"From what we've seen in Kitasan Black's training, she has a decent sense of rhythm. She's probably hoping to adjust to the race by following her opponent's stride.
"That's a very clever choice. It's one of the best strategies for a newcomer."
The announcer continued:
"The pack has passed the grandstand ahead and entered the first turn.
"There's been no change in position. Cosmic Haven, ranked eleventh in popularity, is still in the lead.
"Mickey Joy, ranked first in popularity, and Eden, ranked second, are close behind.
"Kitasan Black, ranked third in popularity, is running in the Late-run position. It looks like her trainer has assigned her the Late-run style."
In the grandstand, the Satono sisters both frowned.
"Late-run... If I remember right, Little Kita..."
After exchanging a glance with her younger sister, Satono Crown looked at Anjing Zhen, hesitating.
"I remember some trainers saying Little Kita might be suited to the Early Lead Running Style, or maybe Escape...
"But Late-run...
"Trainer Yasui, is that really right for Little Kita?"
Anjing Zhen briefly lowered his binoculars and looked at the Satono sisters with a smile.
"True, I also think Little Kita is better suited to the Early Lead or Escape styles.
"But the pressure in a Debut Race isn't too high. Locking her into one Running Style completely would snuff out too many possibilities, so I think it's worth trying something bolder.
"And haven't the trainers you've spoken to said that in her first few races, a newly debuted runner should stay farther back?"
I want to try for a recommendation boost, so here's an extra chapter. Please give it a follow!
Just jump to the latest chapter and follow it there. I'd really appreciate it.
There'll still be the usual two chapters after this.
I saw some readers asking about a mass update. That shouldn't be a problem. Anyone who read my last book knows I once put out 200,000 words in a day.
It seems a little difficult with this book so far, and honestly, releasing that many words all at once takes a toll on the brain.
But I really enjoy writing this horse girl story. I've got enough ideas to write at least around a million words, so rest assured, everyone.
Thanks again, and please give it a follow. Thanks (ω)
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